Thimble



(No Model.)

W. H. IVERS.

THIMBLE.

No. 554,879. Patented Feb 18, 1896.

\/\/1T \lE5aE5; INVENTIIIIFM 51: 22% W/ham Elam.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. IVERS, OF DEDHAM, ASSIGNOR TO THE IVERS & POND PIAN COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

THIMBLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,879, dated February 18, 1896. Application filed July 10, 1895. Serial N5. 555,466. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. IvERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dedham, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thimbles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of thimbles, which consist of a short tube or sleeve for the passage of a bolt, more particularly such as are employed in boxing articles for shipment.

Briefly described myinvention is embodied in the form of a thimble, whereby the article may be securely fastened in place by means of the contact of two surfaces of a substance analogous to wood, whereby the interposition of some adhesive compound serves to unite said contiguous surfaces, and thus securely hold the thimble in place.

The drawings represent in Figure 1 a plan of a thimble applied to a piece of wood, which likewise shows a hole for the reception of a thimble. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a thimble embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified construction.

This invention, as before premised, relates to a thimble more particularly employed in boxing articles for shipment. This special article consists of a short tube or sleeve for the passage of a bolt, and the function of said thimble is not only to prevent the bolt from defacing the surface of the article, but likewise acts as an ornament, if so desired, and, furthermore, conceals the bolt-hole.

This invention may be considered as relating to an improvement upon United States Letters Patent No. 462,257, issued in my name on the 3d day of November, 1891.

In the present instance my invention is embodied in the form of the thimble shown at 2, whereby, although composed of metal, it is easily and readily made fast to the wood or similar material in which it may be inserted,

and this without a screw-thread. This thimble comprises a shank or body portion 3 adapted to be concealed within the wood, a strip of which is indicated at 4, and an exterior head 5, ornamented or otherwise.

In order to enable the thimbles to be made in quantities and at small expense, and to enable them tobe inserted and held firmly in wood, I cast or otherwise form on the outer periphery of the inner end of the thimble one or more lugs or bosses 6 6, preferably rectangular in shape. Said bosses are ordinarily made flush with the lower end of said thimble, and extend from the shank a distance about equal to the overhang or flange 7 of the head 5. Thus a space or opening 8 is created between the under side of the flange and the lugs. (See Fig. 2.)

In order to secure the thimble readily in place without the aid of a screw-thread, and thus simplify the construction, I insert a strip of wood 9, which acts as a fastening device, in the space 8. This strip is intended to make the entire surface of the thimble at this point a straight surface with preferably a slight taper. To adapt the material for the introduction of the thimble a circular hole 10 is bored, (see Fig. 1,) and grooves or slots 12, which correspond in position with that of the lugs on the thimble, as likewise with their shape in cross-section, are then formed, said grooves to extend in a distance equal to the length of'the thimble-shank. After the strips of wood or the fastening devices 9 are properly adjusted between the lugs and the flange of the head, glue or some other adhesive compound is applied and the thimble driven home.

It is evident that each strip 9 presents three surfaces which are in contact with the Walls of the grooves 12. Hence, when the glue has set, said strips are firmly held fast in the grooves and have become a part of the adjoining wood. As a consequence the lugs, which bear against the inner ends of the strips, now prevent the thimble from being withdrawn, and the latter is permanently fastened in position very quickly and expeditiously. In the present instance two bosses are shown; but the number may be increased as circumstances require.

I11 lieu of creating a knob or projection, a slot or opening 14:, extending completely or in part through the wall of the shank, (see Fig. 4,) may be formed; but with this construction less of the surface of the strip is exposed for contact with the walls of the grooves.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact shape of the holding device, since it may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination with a thimble comprising a short tube, a flanged head at the outer end, and one or more lugs on the outer periphery of the shank on its inner end, one or more strips of wood adapted for position be tween the flange and a lug, substantially as explained.

2. The combination with a metallic tube or sleeve havinga flange head, of one or more ribs longitudinally on its periphery, said ribs consisting in part of wood, in part of metal, substantially as set forth and stated.

3. In combination with a thimble comprising a short tube having a flanged head, one or more strips of wood longitudinally disposed on the shank, the surface of said strips adapted to contact with and adhere to the walls of the hole in which the thimble is inserted as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. IVERS. \Vitnesses:

H. E. LODGE, FRANCIS C. SrANWoon. 

